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1.
I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men:
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2.
God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.
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3.
A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
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4.
It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.
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5.
Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man--
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6.
even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
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7.
All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
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8.
What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others?
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9.
Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
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10.
Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he.
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11.
The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
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12.
For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?
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